No, but it would be a very competitive fight. Tunney had pretty underrated power though and I think that would make the difference toward the later stages of the fight. Gene by late stoppage or a hard fought decision.
I could see peak Kovalev winning a competitive decision. Tunney used a low guard and while that guard has some advantages, it can cause issues with big punchers like Kovalev. That being said, the human body has not changed much in 100 years. Tunney moves quicker than Ward on his feet or indeed quicker than any of Kovalev's opponents. So it would be a very competitive fight.
It'd be a good fight. Lots of hard and fast jabs, Kovalev looking to use his to set up the cross and Tunney using his to set up the body work. I tend to think Tunney wins a fight like that, but Kovalev has a better chance than most due to his combination of power and skills.
In my opinion no, Kovalev would not dominate Tunney. Here I think we need to look at the characteristics of the two boxers, the Russian in his prime was really strong, he had a powerful jab with which he opened the way for his attacks, his shots were precise and powerful, he was truly a Krusher. Tunney had a very high level Ring I.Q., he was fast, he had great footwork, heart and stamina. I think that in the early rounds Kovalev would have created several problems for Tunney, he would have shaken him and maybe even knocked him down, but The Fighting Marine would have been able to read the Russian's boxing and after a few rounds he would have been able to neutralize many of his attacks, working a lot on the opponent's body and finishing a tired Kovalev in the last rounds. I say Tunney by stoppage in the 12th round in a classic.
Tunney beat ATGs Dempsey & Greb multiple times. Kovalev lost to Canelo Alvarez ffs.. ye you can cite Kovalevs quick turnaround etc but Tunney was fighting 10 times a year so that doesn't work here.. against men with smaller gloves too.. Tunney was a different animal from harder times.. Kovalev went to **** after Ward.. Greatness is overcoming such things & moving forward.. as much as a talent as Kovalev was for a period he was susceptible to drink & laziness.. Tunney was a machine, as clever & regimented out of the ring as he was in it.. you can't compare imo.. Tunney thrived under harsher circumstances.. Smaller gloves, better opposition, no PEDs, 15 rounders, higher fight frequency etc.. i respect Kovalevs journey don't get me wrong , he came from Russia and made his mark on American boxing.. respect.. but for all his natural talent there were plenty of discipline issues.. Tunney is a tier above Kovalev.
I would bet on a prime, non-vodka soaked Kova to stop him as all the simps would throw the odds toward Tunney and I would walk away a very rich man.
Chilemba wasn't really stopped until his final (?) fight 20 years into his career. He completely whitewashed Hopkins, a guy who also wasn't stopped until his final fight, but 28 fights into his career. He's stopping Tunney.
